How to Convert MSG to MBOX with Complete Email Items?

Rollins Duke
Published: December 23rd, 2024 • 8 Min Read

Are you concerned about the solution to convert MSG to MBOX format? If so, then you have landed on the correct webpage. Here, we have shared the most effective and effortless process to convert MS Outlook MSG files to Thunderbird MBOX files.

When users have lots of MSG files, it can be too complicated to manage and find any specific one. Therefore, most users prefer to convert a batch of MSG files to MBOX format to easily manage, share, transfer, and access them with several email clients such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, SeaMonkey, Eudora, Opera Mail, etc.

Know MSG and MBOX Extensions

MSG file extension is used to save Outlook items such as emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, journals, etc. An MSG file can store only a single Outlook item including embedded attachments and components.

While MBOX is a standard file extension to store each email folder including all emails. Multiple emails client including Thunderbird, Apple Mail, SeaMonkey, and Eudora Mail allow to import and export of email folders into the MBOX file extension. Let’s see the comparison between MSG files and MBOX files.

Distinction Between MSG and MBOX Formats

Features	MSG Files	MBOX Files
Compatibility	Primary used for Outlook	Supported by multiple email clients such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, SeaMonkey etc.
Storage	Store each emails as separate file	Consolidate multiple emails into one file
Management	Difficult to manage bulk MSG Files	Easier to manage bulk emails due to all emails storage in single file
Portability	Limited Portability between different email clients	Highly portable across various email clients
File Size	MSG files are typically small as they contain single email	MBOX files can grow large especially when they contain many messages.

Why Do Users Convert MSG to MBOX Format?

MSG files are only accessible in the Outlook email client, while sometimes users want to access their MSG files on different email platforms that support MBOX files.
Sometimes users want to conversion of MS Outlook MSG files into MBOX format because MBOX files can be easily accessible into multiple freeware email clients such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc.
MBOX files allows to consolidate multiple emails into a single file for easy archiving, sharing and more organized storage efficiency. This is particularly beneficial for managing bulk MSG files.
MBOX files are too easy to backup and restore, making it convenient for data protection and also beneficial for system failures.
MBOX files are less prone to compatibility issues ensuring you can easily access and retrieve emails in the future.

Manual Way to Convert MSG Files to MBOX

Go to the source location where MSG files are stored on your computer.
Select an MSG file and right-click and choose Open with >> Outlook.
Now choose File >> Save As option.
Select the saving type as TXT and save it.
Thereafter, rename the TXT file as EML.
Use a manual way to import EML to Thunderbird.
Now export MBOX file from Thunderbird manually.
MSG to MBOX conversion process completed successfully.

Limitations of Manual Technique

Above we have explained only the main steps to convert Outlook MSG to MBOX, but this is a lengthy and complex task.
This technique alters your email formatting and visibility, as first, we need to convert MSG to TXT and then rename it as EML.
If you want to export MSG to MBOX task, then this is mandatory to have technical knowledge about email clients and the import/ export process.
The manual method loses email attachments, hyperlinks, and some other components during the conversion.
This technique is capable to convert emails one by one, so you need to repeat the same steps multiple times.

Automated Software to Convert Outlook MSG to MBOX

MSG File Converter Tool is an all-in-one offline software that has the capability to converting their unlimited MSG files to MBOX format. The tool is also known as MSG to MBOX Converter. All the latest Microsoft Windows and Mac OS users can download and install on their computers. Thereafter, follow the below-mentioned steps for completion of the task.

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How to Convert MSG to MBOX in Bulk?

Launch MSG to MBOX Converter on your Windows and Mac computers. Upload MSG files in the software GUI using Select Files or Select Folders button.
Thereafter, choose the required MSG files/ folders from the software panel and hit on the Next button.
Now select MBOX as a saving option according to the need.
After that, the software will automatically choose the desktop as the destination path. However, users can click on the Browse icon to change different destination path.
Click on the Convert button to start the process to convert MSG to MBOX file and wait for a few seconds.
MSG to MBOX Conversion process has been completed successfully. Now you can see the flash message of completion.
Lastly, it will open the destination path. Hence, users can easily get the resultant MBOX file.

Note: Follow the above-mentioned steps to convert Outlook MSG to MBOX format. The upcoming section explains the 3 different choices to access the converted MBOX file. Let’s enjoy!

What to Do with Resultant MBOX?

After completing the process to convert MSG files to an MBOX file, users can easily access the resultant MBOX file using several free email clients and applications. Let’s know how?

#1 Choice: Import MBOX in Thunderbird

First, add ImportExportTools NG Add-ons to the Thunderbird email client.
Thereafter, choose Tools >> ImportExportTools >> Import MBOX File option.
Now, browse the resultant MBOX file from the destination path and import it.
Restart the Thunderbird email client and view imported mailbox items.

#2 Choice: Import MBOX in Apple Mail

Start the Apple Mail email client and choose File >> Import Mailboxes.
Either choose Apple Mail or Files in MBOX format option and press Continue.
After that, browse the converted MBOX file and hit on Continue.
Complete the import process and restart the Apple Mail email client.

#3 Choice: Use Free MBOX Viewer Software

Download the mentioned freeware software on your pc.
Run this application and choose Add Files or Add Folders.
Browse the resultant MBOX file and insert it into the software GUI.
Thereafter, click on the MBOX file and read the complete details.

MSG to MBOX Converter Features and Benefits

Batch Convert MSG to MBOX file including complete email items and components such as To, Cc, Bcc, From, Date, Time, Year, Subject, Signature, Body, Hyperlinks, Inline Images, and all.
Convert Outlook MSG to MBOX standard file extension. Which is compatible with several email clients such as Thunderbird, Mac Mail, SeaMonkey, Eudora, Opera Mail, Postbox, etc.
Best tool that preserves complete message attachments during the conversion process such as Adobe PDF, Word Documents, PowerPoint Presentations, Excel Spreadsheets, Images, etc.
This Software can be operable on all the latest Windows and Mac OS. Hence, all computer and MacBook users can use it without showing any error or warning message.

Why Is Converting MSG to MBOX Online Not Advisable?

Emails store users’ crucial data including personal, professional, and financial. Even sometimes emails have important attachments such as identity cards, government-assigned documents, bank statements, photos, and videos. Thus, this is not advisable to upload your valuable data on a third-party server. Online MSG to MBOX Converter applications say to upload your MSG files on the web and then convert them into MBOX files.

Drawbacks of Online Software

Online tools use an active internet connection for converting MSG files to MBOX. Hence, these applications work slowly during the completion of the conversion process.
Several online tools allow converting .msg to .mbox free of cost. But these tools show multiple advertisements and harmful malware links. Hence, your one mistake may be the cause of a malware attack on your pc.
Online MSG to MBOX Converter uploads your MSG files on the web to start the conversion process. But this is not advisable to upload your crucial data on WWW (World Wide Web). Your data may be leaked or misused.

Conclusion

We have discussed the 2 best methods to convert MSG to MBOX file as well as 3 ways to access the resultant MBOX file. This task becomes necessary due to the urgent work requirements. Hence, users search for MSG to MBOX Converter offline and online tools. However, experts always recommend offline secure software for resolving the query with 100% accuracy.

Read Similar: 2 Best Methods to Open MSG File in Gmail